| New in 2008: USCF's Junior Grand Prix |
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| January 1, 2008 | |
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In 2008, in addition to our regular USCF Grand Prix, there will also be
a new Junior Grand Prix (JGP)! Players born after 12/31/87 will be
eligible for both the regular Grand Prix and the Junior Grand Prix. You can keep track of the JGP at the updated standings page (not to be confused with official results.) Both grand prix events are year-long contests, designed to encourage tournament activity. However, the JGP will have a special focus intended to promote the type of play most beneficial to the development of young talent, as follows: 1. The best way to improve is by facing opponents stronger than you. The new grand prix awards JGP points only for scoring against players rated at least 100 points above you: 10 JGP points for each win and 5 JGP points for each draw. In sectioned events, you may need to play higher than your minimum section to have a shot at points! 2. Also beneficial for improvement is play at time controls that are slower than those used at many scholastic events. JGP points are available only in events with time controls slower than Game/60. Other JGP Rules 1. JGP events must be at least four rounds and USCF rated. 2. Other than entry fees and USCF dues, no charges over $25 are permitted. 3. The tournament must have a TLA with sufficient detail to determine eligibility in the “Tournament Life” section of Chess Life. Games from matches are ineligible. The tournament must have a 2008 completion date and be submitted for rating by February 1, 2009. Note: for 2008 events, the TLA must have appeared in the December 2007 Chess Life or later issue. 4. If differing time controls are offered, the slowest must be slower than Game/60, and no round may be faster than Game/30. 5. Byes and other unplayed games earn no JGP points. 6. In determining whether an opponent is rated 100 points above a player, current ratings will be used. Note: On rare occasions, JGP point standings may change due to re-rates. 7. To earn points, a player must have a pre-event rating based on at least four games. Additionally, if in considering an individual game, the opponent has no rating or a rating based on fewer than four games, the opponent’s post event rating will be used, providing it is based on at least four games. Otherwise, no points can be earned from that game. 8. Conditions concerning JGP tournaments are subject to review and adjustment by the USCF executive director. Designation of tournaments as JGP events which require play at Game/60 or faster in most rounds is discouraged and may be disallowed. 9. For state awards, in the case of a player who changes states during the year, USCF reserves the right to assign the player to an appropriate state based on their tournament record. 10. Standings will be updated bimonthly in Chess Life and more frequently at main.uschess.org/go/JGP. Top prize includes free entry, $1,000 of expense money to the 2009 U.S. Open, and a plaque. Prizes to the top 20 and top individual in each state. |
